
Kampala, Uganda – The highly anticipated Ikon Awards 2025 has unveiled its nominees for this year’s ceremony, recognizing outstanding talents in 22 categories.
The nominees were announced during a special live broadcast on the Ikon Awards YouTube page, hosted by media personality Ethan Kavuma and renowned actress Catherine Namugenyi.
This year’s awards have expanded the nominee slots in each category from four to five, offering greater recognition for exceptional work. According to Usama Mukwaya, Ikon Awards Producer, “This year’s Ikon Awards is special because we have expanded the number of nominees, creating more room to celebrate exceptional work.”

The Ikon Awards also introduced four prestigious awards: Best Emerging Film, Lifetime Achievement Award, African Ikon of the Year, and African Rising Star Award.
Humphrey Nabimanya, CEO of the Ikon Awards, emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing Uganda’s film industry. “The Ikon Awards serve not only as a celebration of our cinematic achievements but also as a powerful platform for uniting filmmakers, artists, and enthusiasts in our shared mission to uplift and elevate the Ugandan film landscape.”
The Ikon Awards will host a luncheon for the nominees in February and the grand ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 29, 2025, at Serena Hotel Kampala.
Here is a full list of nominees
IKON RISING STAR
Arthur William Sewanyana
Tyra Abok
Ethan Mwesigwa
Iradukunda Rebecca Hope
And Barack Balaba
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Raymond Rushabiro – SOCCER HEART
Bwanika Baale Felix – SSEKUKKULU
Muhmood Zamunyo – MARIA
Housen Mushema – MAKULA
And Edson Keith Abitegeka – SSEKUKKULU
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Milka Irene – NOT A WIFE
Eleanor Nabwiso – KARAMOJA
Nakayo Veronica – CHRISTMAS TOGETHER
Joanitta Bewulira Wandera – MAKULA
And Nana Kagga – MARIA
ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
- MAKULA
Cinematography by Alex Ireeta
- MARIA
Cinematography by Vincent Odoi
SOCCER HEART
Cinematography by Alex Ireeta
- CHRISTMAS TOGETHER
Cinematography by Izaek Ekuka
- And KARAMOJA
KARAMOJA
Cinematography by Izaek Ekuka
ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENWRITING
- MAKULA
Screenplay by Nisha Kalema
- MARIA
Screenplay by Nana Kagga
- CHRISTMAS TOGETHER
Screenplay by Mary Nyanzi and Eleanor Nabwiso
- SOCCER HEART
Screenplay by Kevin Johns Nabukenya
- And SSEKUKKULUScreenplay by Josephine Kabahuma and Samuel Savior Kizito
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND DESIGN
Isiko Abubaker – KARAMOJA
Jose Arins – MAKULA
Kyobe Sebbowa – SOCCER HEART
Marvin Rain Ssentongo – THE LIONS OF BUGANDA
And Simon Agola – MARIA
ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING
Henry Matovu, Kizito Sudaisy Sebowa – MAKULA
Kizito Sudaisy Sebowa – SOCCER HEART
Marvin Rain Ssentongo, Muhwezi Herbert – THE LIONS OF BUGANDA
Paul Katumwa, Vincent Odoi – MARIA
And Paul Kimera – KARAMOJA
ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
- THE LIONS OF BUGANDA
Costume Design by Ali Musinguzi, Dollar Fashionista, Naggayi Patricia –
- KARAMOJA
Costume Design by Nantege Joan
- MAKULA
Costume Design by Nantege Maureen Victoria
- SOCCER HEART
Costume Design by Nantege Joan
- And MARIA
Costume Design by Tazibone Solomon
ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP AND SPECIAL EFFECTS
- HALF LIFE
Makeup And Special Effects by Kabanywari Maggie
- MAKULA
Makeup And Special Effects by Nakakande Cynthia –
- KARAMOJA
Makeup And Special Effects by Nantege Joan
- THE LIONS OF BUGANDA
Makeup And Special Effects by Nabakiibi Joana Jojo, Latifah Nabatanzi and Rutaro Abell
- And MARIA Makeup and Special Effects by Nantege Joan
BEST ACTOR IN A TV SERIES
Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga – SANYU
Dennis Kinani – DAMALIE
Derrick Baka – BELOVED
Emmanuel Atuhaire – CROSSROADS
And Moses Jr. Kiboneka – JDC
BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES
Diana Nabatanzi – JDC
Doreen Mirembe – DAMALIE
Hellen Lukoma – BELOVED
Nicole Estella – CROSSROADS
And Nana Kagga – DAMALIE
ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
Imran Musabbeh – MAKULA
Nana Kagga – MARIA
Imran Musabbeh – SOCCER HEART
Mulindwa Richard – HALF LIFE
And Tumusiime Robert Quintes – THE LIONS OF BUGANDA
ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
THE LIONS OF BUGANDA Visual Effects by Patrick Chris Black, Faysal Mukalazi –
DINNER FOR THREE Visual Effects by Lazarus Musungu
And STAPLE Visual Effects by Nsiimbe Isaac Newton
BEST SHORT FILM
Boy No Fear by Jonathan Curtiss
Estranged by Sharifu Kisambira
Jimbi by Tusabe Ivan
Jua Kali by Ssemwogererere Nersky Nurudeen
And Staple by Isaac Bbuye
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Charcoal and Courage
Ghetto Fist
The History of film in Uganda
Ghetto Mama
And The Royal Summit
BEST ANIMATION FILM
Fractured
Kataleya
Kintu
Maica
And Stuck in the Nest
BEST TV SERIES
Crossroads by AYENY T. STEVE
Beloved by NATHAN MAGOOLA
Damalie by DOREEN MIREMBE
JDC by ALLAN MANZI
And Sanyu by MATHEW NABWISO
BEST STUDENT FILM
Dinner for Three
Emunyenye
Not my daughter
The Boy from Kampala
And The Chicken Thief
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Rehema Nakitto (Ray P) – NOT A WIFE
Nabakiibi Joana Jojo – OMUKULULO
Nisha Kalema – MAKULA
Pelly Peninah Nampanga – MARIA
And Hasifah Nakitende – PRESENT PAST
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Isaac Khaweka – AT THE CROSSROADS
Prince Joe Nakibinge – OMUKULULO
Ssekimpi John Mary – PRESENT PAST
Issa Massade Yusuf – SOCCER HEART
And Lubega Edris – HALF LIFE
BEST DIRECTOR
Richard Mulindwa – HALF LIFE
Nisha Kalema and Dan Mugisha – MAKULA
Kevin Johns Nabukenya – SOCCER HEART
Nana Kagga – MARIA
And Jerry Sesanga – THE LIONS OF BUGANDA
BEST FILM
Soccer Heart by KEVIN JOHNS NABUKENYA
Maria by NANA KAGGA
Karamoja by ELEANOR NABWISO
Makula by NISHA KALEMA
And The Lions of Buganda by JERRY SESANGA